Manson unlikely to wed former Bunker Hill woman

Published 3:10 pm, Thursday, June 4, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. — A marriage between Bunker Hill native Afton Elaine Burton and mass murderer Charles Manson may not be happening after all.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the marriage license between 26-year-old Burton, who goes by “Star,” and the 80-year-old Manson is set to expire without a wedding taking place.

Officials told the AP Monday that weekend visiting for inmates passed without the couple getting married, the last chance they would have for a ceremony before the 90-day license is set to expire. The couple was granted a marriage license from Kings County, Calif., on Nov. 7.

Burton moved from the Alton area — sources told the Telegraph she attended Bethalto West Elementary before attending high school in Bunker Hill — nine years ago to be closer to Manson, whom she has worked to exonerate. She currently lives in Corcoran, Calif., near where Manson is imprisoned for the murder of seven people.

At the time of the license’s issue, Burton told the AP that she and Manson would be married in December.

“Y’all can know that it’s true,” she told the AP in November. “It’s going to happen.”

It’s unclear why the couple didn’t get married within the 90-day window. The license expires Thursday. The pair will have to register for a new Kings County marriage license if they intend to marry in the future.